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Help decorate the Molly Brown House Museum while learning how museums care for fragile artifacts. This 2.5-hour Homeschool Teen Curator Club mixes hands-on decorating with training in preservation and curatorial practice.
Help decorate the Molly Brown House Museum while learning how museums care for fragile artifacts. This 2.5-hour Homeschool Teen Curator Club mixes hands-on decorating with training in preservation and curatorial practice.
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Operated by Historic Denver Tours · Denver, Colorado
Denver’s Molly Brown House Museum offers a rare, hands-on holiday program for homeschool teens. In the Homeschool Teen Curator Club: Deck the House, participants spend a focused 2.5-hour shift behind the scenes helping staff decorate the museum’s historic rooms while learning proper artifact care and preservation techniques. This program meets at the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver, Colorado, and puts young people into the kind of close work usually reserved for trained collections staff. The experience opens on the museum’s front porch for check-in, then moves into period rooms where students learn safe artifact handling, hanging techniques, and how to balance festive decoration with conservation needs. Key features include the house’s historic interiors and original furnishings, textiles and objects that require gentle handling, plus access to staff-led demonstrations of conservation practice. The program specifically highlights how seasonal trimming can be done without compromising fragile materials, making the house itself the main “site” of interest rather than a classic outdoor landmark. Hands-on decorating is the core of the itinerary: after a short training segment, teens assist with placing wreaths, stringing simple garlands, and positioning non-invasive ornaments under staff supervision. Along the way they’re encouraged to ask questions about curatorial choices, cataloging, and the practical constraints that shape museum displays. For curious teens interested in museum careers, historic preservation, or design, this is a concentrated crash course in real-world museum work. Practicalities are straightforward. The program is intended for ages 13–17, runs about 2.5 hours, and asks participants to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes that can tolerate dust. The spaces are historic and may expose participants to dust or cleaning agents; anyone with respiratory sensitivities should contact museum staff at [email protected] before registering. Check-in is on the front porch between 9:45 and 10:00 AM. Beyond skill-building, Deck the House connects young people to Denver’s living history through a seasonal tradition that requires care as much as creativity. It’s a limited, seasonal opportunity that showcases museum stewardship in action and gives teens a tangible contribution to public history. For families visiting Denver during the holidays or locals looking for a meaningful volunteer experience for home-schooled teens, this offers a hands-on, educational way to help preserve and celebrate a historic house. Beyond the season, the club builds soft skills—teamwork, careful observation, and documentation—that support museum internships and conservation studies. Staff supervisors offer feedback and teens leave with practical experience to list on portfolios or volunteer records. Allow extra time for parking or transit in central Denver and finding the museum’s porch entrance. Spaces are limited each season; early registration secures a spot and ensures participants receive any pre-visit instructions from museum educators and allergy or accessibility notes in advance before arrival please.
This program is open to homeschool teens ages 13–17.
Check-in is on the Molly Brown House Museum front porch between 9:45 and 10:00 AM as noted in the program details.
The house is historic and may expose participants to dust or cleaning agents; contact [email protected] with accessibility or respiratory concerns before registering.
Parents should check program policies with museum staff; some programs allow drop-off while others welcome observers in designated areas—confirm at registration.
Photography policies vary; staff will indicate when and where photography is permitted to avoid damage to objects or interruption of conservation work.
Register through the museum’s booking link; check the museum’s cancellation policy at the time of booking or contact museum educators for details.
Historic Denver Tours presents in-depth historical experiences in Denver, Colorado, centered on the city’s architectural, cultural, and social history. The organization curates guided walking tours, museum events, lectures, workshops, and seasonal holiday programs that highlight local landmarks and archival collections. Signature offerings include the Larimer Square Walking Tour, an exploration of Denver’s oldest block and its preservation history, and multiple programs hosted at the Molly Brown House Museum such as exhibit lectures, Victorian high tea events, and holiday home tours. Historic Denver Tours collaborates with named experts and guest presenters—authors, photographers, historians, and theater groups—to deliver evidence-based narratives and curated experiences. Examples from the seasonal calendar include a lecture with photographer Dustin Keirns, a vintage Christmas ornament talk with author Jody Pritzl, a derby hat workshop celebrating Kentucky Derby traditions, and theatre and book-launch events that connect local history with statewide stories. Each event listing includes clear descriptions, dates, and venue information to help visitors plan visits; many programs also provide supplies and guided instruction when relevant. By working with local museums, heritage sites, and community partners, Historic Denver Tours emphasizes accurate interpretation and thoughtful preservation messaging. The programming is suitable for history enthusiasts, families, and visitors seeking accessible cultural experiences in Denver. All offerings reference documented sources, museum collections, or expert presenters, supporting credibility and trust while encouraging engagement with Denver’s historic places. Ticket details and accessibility information are provided for each event; advance reservations are recommended for limited-capacity workshops and special holiday programs via the official event listings.
Book with Historic Denver Tours